Chelsea’s Antonio Conte laments West Ham draw, says result is frustrating

Cesar Azpilicueta scored Chelsea’s goal in the 36th minute after flicking the ball over his head and tapping it in before Joe Hart could react. Fans of both clubs also stood up to applause in the eighth minute while singing, “There’s only one Ray Wilkins”.

“We were incredibly committed”, said manager David Moyes, who took over in November when they were in the bottom three. With the West Ham defenders fearfully backed off, the Belgian danced through the middle of the pitch and pulled the trigger, only for his low drive to flash inches wide of the post.

“It was a very good point”.

But next Monday they host fellow strugglers Stoke knowing a defeat would drag them right back into trouble ahead of a tricky run-in including fixtures against Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City.

The Mexico global added: “These types of games are very hard, you have to be focused to stop a very good side like Chelsea”. That said, their form has been so erratic over the past couple of months that in likelihood, they will welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge next month with the top four already beyond them. It was a move that signalled a pattern gradually emerging at Stamford Bridge; Chelsea’s playmakers were beginning to find space in the number ten zone.

Morata thought he had notched up the second, but after latching onto a misplaced ball by West Ham, Morata raced goal wards, passed two his left to in-running Willian. he cross the ball along the six-yard box and Morata skilfully ticked home.

“I think in these games, you have to be clever and focused to stop a side like Chelsea”.

“When you don’t score but create the chances it’s very hard to win”.

But after a “bonus” game, now comes possibly the game of the season at home to Stoke. They create chances, they are ready to suffer and win the game.

“It’s not easy to explain”.

“We must be frustrated for the final result but this game shows our season”. We were playing against a team who are quality and have some terrific attacking players who played well.

“Thankfully we stuck at it and got something out of it. Chelsea can get a goal in other ways but from a corner was really bad from our point of view”.

‘I say thanks to the followers.

Continually we have failed to take our chances to kill off the game and subsequently allowed our opponents with an avenue back into the contest.

“I think that was the first chance they (had)”.

Former West Ham United forward Tony Cottee has suggested that the Hammers were fortunate to earn a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.